Ky. players say they will shake hands after games

From student-athletes to the coaching ranks throughout the Commonwealth today, the no-handshake reaction is generally the same. They think it bounces sportsmanship right on its head.

The directive surfaced yesterday in time for the girls’ volleyball game at Simon Kenton High School.

"So, at the end of the game we just kind of waved to the other team," said Senior Kaitlin Murray. "It was really awkward."

At gyms throughout the Bluegrass today, the social media chatter about it was virtually non-stop.

"It was all over Twitter this morning, of course," said Taylot Morrison, one of three seniors on the Pioneers basketball team.

"I'm a really competitive person. So, to lose, it's really hard for me to shake someone's hand and say good game. So, I think it shows a lot of sportsmanship to be able to do that," Morrison said.

Kentucky's High School Athletic Association, citing two-dozen fights over three years, seemingly put the kibosh on all post-game handshakes in baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling.

On the court this afternoon, Brenan Kuntz, the quarterback of the undefeated Simon Kenton football team, slammed a dunk shot and gave WLWT News 5 his take on the shake.

"From my three years playing football, I mean, I don't think there's ever been a fight after the game or anything. I've only seen stuff on TV from, like, colleges and stuff," Kuntz said.

After stepping all over its initial wording, KHSAA issued a statement of clarification today that said, "There is no ban or prohibition" on post-game handshakes.

The organization just wants monitoring to guard against potentially poor behavior.

"The intent and spirit of the directive/prescription/recommendation was two-fold and remains in place today. First, if schools desire to perform postgame rituals such as handshake lines, etc., they must be able to monitor the activity closely. If they do not have adequate personnel to properly monitor, then they shouldn't allow the activity. The fact is that over the last several years, we have had more than two dozen situations occur where incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct have occurred during these postgame activities. Many of these lacked proper supervision, and determining the cause/effect/proper individuals to sanction would devolve into a "he said, she said" situation. If these postgame ceremonies are going to continue, then the schools must be able to monitor what is going on, as they will be held accountable for student and coach conduct going forward," the clarification stated.

"In practice even, emotions run high with other opponents. You just (have) to get used to it, let it go. Being a senior, God's put experience under my belt," wide receiver Grant Wassom said.

Sportsmanship will survive this sudden controversy, players said.

Head coaches like Trent Steiner said that they try to see to it that players act appropriately, win or lose.

Steiner's assistant coach helps ensure the good sportsmanship demeanor once the on-court action is over.

"He always goes to the back of the line. That's his responsibility,” Steiner said. "I'm always in the front of the line. That way there's no shenanigans. He's 6 feet 4 inches and can see over the tops of heads, so there's no shenanigans going on after that stuff."

It’s going to be the same as it was since he was an 8-year-old playing in the pee-wee league, Steiner said.

"We're going to shake hands," Steiner said.

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